Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Investigation under way of construction businessman over extortion charges

Police presence near the house of Veliko Zhelev
Photo: BGNES

The Bulgarian businessman Veliko Zhelev and two other persons are being investigated by the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office for causing bodily harm to a former employee of theirs and extortion. There is evidence that they forced the person to sign a document with false content about unsettled relations, Deputy District Prosecutor Borislav Georgiev said at a briefing.

Zhelev is a former head of the Bulgarian Road Agency and adviser to a regional minister. He is the owner of significant construction companies. 

Zhelev was detained late at night on March 6 in Sofia. The police searched his office in Sofia and a property in Varna. 
The former employee was questioned repeatedly. He was forced to assume a property obligation, said Georgiev.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Delyan Peevski

''DPS – New Beginning'' urges that local taxes remain unchanged in 2026

“I call on all representatives of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms in local government — mayors and municipal councilors — to ensure security and predictability for the people and to take the necessary steps to keep all local taxes and fees..

published on 11/25/25 10:02 AM

Bulgaria rises in global digital quality of life ranking

Bulgaria has climbed to 11th place in this year’s Digital Quality of Life 2025 (DQL) index published by Surfshark, up from 18th last year, BTA reported. The index evaluates countries’ digital well-being across five dimensions: fixed broadband..

published on 11/25/25 9:45 AM
Todor Chobanov

Bulgaria expects the return of over 2,700 antiques from abroad

Around 90% of the antiques seized during an international operation targeting a cultural property trafficking network will be returned to Bulgaria, Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov told “Nova TV”.   “This is an unprecedented operation in..

published on 11/25/25 9:22 AM